Vice President Kamala Harris photographed by Flo Ngala for Rolling Stone Magazine, rollingstone.com
As soon as President Biden announced that he would not seek reelection and endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, articles scrutinizing and critiquing Kamala Harris’s style immediately followed.
“Looking Back at Kamala Harris’s Presidential Style”, by Hannah Jackson, Vogue, July 22nd, praises Harris for outfitting herself in a “particularly presidential” manner over the past four years; following the dictum, “dress for the job you want.”
Rachel Tashjian, “Kamala Harris’s Wardrobe is Finally Saying Something”, The Washington Post, July 23rd, notes subtle changes to what Harris wears and a new gloss of power and polish over the past few months even though, as she points out, the changes have been “so quiet you might not have even noticed them.”
Kamala Harris attends the 2014 NAACP Awards, photo by getty images
Yes, the changes are noticeable, but even more evident is how much Harris’s fashion sense has evolved since her days as a prosecutor. All you have to do is look at images through the years to see the ongoing transformation.
“Despite a few fashion hits for notable occasions — including the purple Christopher John Rogers dress she wore at the 2020 inauguration — Harris’s current day-to-day image as number 2 on the nuclear football list has been crafted carefully to fade into the background. She plays it safe with neutral pantsuits: navy, black, grey, camel, the occasional powder blue or pop of suffragette white.” -Leanne Delap.
Freelance fashion journalist Leann Delap takes a far more critical stance than the others. Delap’s article, “In elections, clothes matter. Kamala Harris needs to ditch the forgettable fashion and seize the spotlight”, The Toronto Star, May 24th, emphasizes the importance of clothing in elections, and on the campaign trail.
Kamala Harris in her powersuits – photos Instagram
Delap believes that Harris’s predictable choices result in her fading into the background. She advises the Vice President to “ditch the deliberately forgettable fashion she has worn since her days as a prosecutor”, seize the spotlight, and up her game by adding more color, more edge and selecting more racially diverse upstart designers.
The Row Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear, photo Courtesy of The Row
While I agree there is unquestionably room for improvement, I feel strongly that this is not the moment for edgy and experimental fashion. Harris’s wardrobe should emphasize chic refined luxury and sophistication from primarily American designers.
Harris is a very good looking woman with an abundance of confidence. She is not a fashion plate nor is she striving to make a fashion statement. Harris and her advisors (Kamala is reportedly working with celebrity stylists Karla Welch and Leslie Fremar), should look back, take note of what has worked in the past, and really tweak the heck out of it.
Kamala Harris photographed by Flo Ngala for Rolling Stone Magazine, rollingstone.com
You needn’t look any further than Flo Ngala’s photographs of the Vice President that accompanied an interview in The Rolling Stone Magazine. In the photos, Kamala Harris is wearing a white pantsuit with a black silk tie blouse (label unknown) styled by Leslie Fremar. While it’s a familiar formula, the cut of the suit is perfection. We need to see more of this.
I often feel as though Harris’s long, broad shouldered jackets overpower her 5’4” frame and that the fit is off. Moreover, I’m not a fan of that particular shade of blue that Harris, like many women politicians, seem to favor. I’d prefer to see more ivory, camel, shades of gray, midnight navy and black.
Ralph Lauren Collection Fall 2024, photo Courtesy of Ralph Lauren
There’s nothing wrong with the vice president sticking to tailoring as the bedrock of her wardrobe. What is more commanding, imposing and authoritative than a well-tailored jacket? But there’s got to be alternatives to the omnipresent power suit that has become the vice president’s signature. And of course, there are.
Tom Ford Slubbed Velvet Blazer, $4590, nordstrom.com
Even though Peter Hawkings just exited Tom Ford, leaving the fashion house without a creative director, the label excels at tailoring and they cut a mean peak lapel jacket, both single and double breasted, using luxurious fabrics and lustrous colors that would work well for Kamala day and night.
Polo Ralph Lauren Cream Double Face Wool Polo Coat, $1070, ralphlauren.com
As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, outerwear becomes even more important. I could imagine Harris wearing Tom Ford’s military style black and white herringbone coat with a face framing funnel neck, Ralph Lauren’s classic double breasted coat in off white wool, or Michael Kors’s handsome camel coat.
Thom Browne Double Breasted Silk Coat, $2296, farfetch.com
Naturally, customization is always better than off the rack, as it guarantees a perfect cut and fit. Harris could avail herself of Thom Browne made-to-measure which offers customized classic tailoring in a variety of core and seasonal fabrics. Beneath Thom’s runway tricks, there are some very chic, beautifully made clothes.
Guild of Hands French Silk Velvet Cape, ivory silk trousers, Autumn 2023 Collection 1, guildofhands.com
Christy Rilling, Michelle Obama’s tailor and dressmaker throughout the White House years, and the subject of a past article, hasn’t made clothes for Kamala Harris yet, but she hopes to, and I think it would be a great fit based on Christy’s love of timeless elegance and her superb taste level.
Christy recently launched Guild of Hands, an atelier in the heart of Manhattan’s garment district where clothes are designed, developed, and made by a talented group of artisans,. Christy and her atelier have designed and made special pieces for some of the most important performers and politicians in the world. A limited number of special commissions are accepted each year for private clients by appointment only
It’s hard not to think about the inauguration in January, and beyond, should Harris win the election in November but regardless, Kamala will be very visible on the campaign trail and at official White House events and her clothing choices are important.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Kamala Harris wearing Celine, Photo Courtesy The White House
Several of Kamala’s recent choices for evening have shown Kamala in a new fashion light. For the White House Correspondent’s Dinner in May, the vice president wore a navy sequined Celine Couture gown designed by Hedi Slimane, styled with a selection of jewels. The gown was an alluring choice; covered up, glamorous, and quite a departure. It also illustrated that Harris has quite a nice figure.
Vice President Kamala Harris wears Chloé forest green cape dress with gold floral brooch, Photo Courtesy of The White House
The bottle green custom cape dress by Chemena Kamali for Chloé Harris wore to the annual White House State Dinner in May, stands out as an exceptional choice for evening, given its unexpected color, elegant graceful lines and perfect accessories: a gold floral brooch and gold bangles. It hit all the right notes.
Vintage Robert Lee Morris statement pearl and gold metal choker necklace, $1700, 1stdibs.com
I can’t underestimate the importance of a great accessory and how impactful it can be. Kamala has had a love affair with pearls since her teens. She is often seen wearing Irene Neuwirth’s signature single or double strand of pearls. Why not do something more dramatic at night with a tuxedo, cocktail dress or gown by simply adding ropes of pearls or a multi strand choker made of beads? Why not go all out with a statement jeweled brooch at night?
Thom Browne oxford curved heel spectator brogue, $1200, thombrowne.com
As for footwear, why does it always have to be a pump? Why not wear a heeled brogue? Thom Browne always makes a good looking mid heeled lace up brogue that works perfectly with a tailored pantsuit or a coat ensemble.
The Office of Angela Scott specializes in brogues in a variety of heel heights. Coincidentally, their motto is, “For Women Who Mean Business!” How fitting, although when it comes to Kamala Harris, I would also add, “For Women Who “Kick- Ass”!
Latest Comments:
Fashion changes with the times, and ways to present it must change creatively too.
Let his name live on for what HE designed so he can rest in peace.
Marilyn! What a wonderful and informative article you have written. I so loved Bendels, although (in my opinion) it was…
Merci beaucoup for the article!
Thank you for featuring me and my designs in your article! What a lovely event and how many gorgeous ensembles!
How interesting! Bendel’s was always a favorite store of mine. Miss those days…Thanks for another great article.
Such a LOSS! I feel Bendels was to NY what Venice is to Italy.
Love the stories you create around elements of design!
I agree but most often, Kamala is wearing a simple u neck or crew neck tank style underpinning beneath those jackets rather than a pussy cat bow blouse….I agree that more emphasis should be placed at the neckline… I was really trying to search for something perfect to illustrate and had a hard time coming up with something ideal that exists in the market right now…but I’m working on it!
One suggestion: The power suit is okay but underpinnings should not rely on the traditional classic pussy cat bow blouse. More modern necklines featuring fabric details would go far to soften her image without being too fashion forward. Always make sure that the necklines align with the jacket collar.